Lady Ivanka Breeders’ Cup-Bound After Winning G1 Spinaway

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Taking advantage of a hot pace up front, Lady Ivanka sat just off the leaders before pouncing and winning Saturday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Spinaway in the shadow of the wire.

The Spinaway was a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In race, giving Lady Ivanka an all-fees-waived entry into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 4 at Del Mar.

Co-favorites Separationofpowers and Pure Silver were noses apart from the start, setting early fractions of :22.36 and :45.30 while Irad Ortiz, Jr., kept his filly close behind in third. Exiting onto the stretch, however, the pair seemed to trail off, allowing Lady Ivanka to swing past on the outside while Maya Malibu rode an open rail. The new leaders duked it out to the wire, with the Rudy Rodriguez trainee emerging victorious by 3/4 of a length, completing the 7-furlong main track event in 1:24.97.

“It was a tough test but we got it done,” said Rodriguez, who also won the 2014 Spinaway with Condo Commando. “I was not confident at all (turning for home) because I saw that the other horse was coming on the inside, and Javier is one of the best riders in the country; they opened the rail for him, and I was concerned. I was hoping that he would wait a little longer, but I’m not on top here, so I thought if he waited a little longer, maybe we could wait for whatever they were going to do, but it worked out.”

It was Ortiz, Jr.’s second consecutive Spinaway after leading Pretty City Dancer to a dead-heat victory in 2016. Separationofpowers held on for third over Pure Silver, with Obvious Two completing the order of finish.

“I got a perfect trip – I broke out of there and just sat there and waited,” said Ortiz, Jr. “We were clear on the turn, and when I asked her, she was there for me. She was ready. Rudy did a good job with her. Her last race was impressive and she did it in a good way. Now, here we are in a Grade 1, and she did it.”

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The 2-year-old daughter of Tiz Wonderful remained unbeated after winning her debut here on August 9. The winner’s share of $210,000 increased her career earnings $259,800.

Lady Ivanka paid $12.40 to win, $5.40 to place, and $3.60 to show. Maya Malibu paid $7.70 to place and $4.90 to show, while Separationofpowers paid $2.10 to show.